Andrew Ma to play Samart Payakaroon
We are thrilled to announce that Andrew Ma will be joining the cast of Fenech, stepping into the role of Thai boxing legend Samart Payakaroon. Samart is regarded as one of the greatest Muay Thai fighters in history, a man whose skill, charisma, and fearless spirit elevated him beyond the ring and into global sporting folklore. Portraying such an icon requires more than just performance – it requires lived experience. That’s why bringing in someone like Andrew Ma is so special.
Andrew is not only an actor but a real fighter with years of experience in martial arts and combat sports. His understanding of ring craft, fighting psychology, and physical conditioning will allow him to embody Samart with authenticity and respect. This is not simply about portraying a boxer on screen – it’s about capturing the spirit of a man who transcended his sport.
“Casting Andrew Ma as Samart Payakaroon is a perfect match. He’s not just playing a fighter – he IS a fighter. That authenticity will shine on screen, giving audiences a glimpse of Samart’s brilliance and the true challenge Jeff faced in the ring.” – Matt Norman, Director
Samart Payakaroon
In Fenech, Samart Payakaroon represents one of Jeff Fenech’s most significant opponents, a fighter whose style and presence demanded greatness from those who faced him. Andrew’s ability to bring both intensity and nuance to the role ensures that audiences will feel the weight of Samart’s impact in the story. His casting continues our commitment to grounding this film in real experience from the fight world, ensuring that the action in the ring is not only cinematic but also true to the spirit of boxing and Muay Thai.
With Andrew stepping into this iconic role, we know the fights in Fenech will capture the raw honesty, beauty, and brutality of the sport. This is one matchup that fans of boxing and film alike won’t want to miss.
“It’s an honour to portray someone like Samart Payakaroon. He’s a legend in both Muay Thai and boxing, and I’m excited to bring his story and fighting spirit to life on screen.” – Andrew Ma
Pro Boxer Charlie Kazzi to play Redzep Redzepovski
We’re proud to officially welcome Australian boxer Charlie Kazzi to the cast of FENECH – The Jeff Fenech Story, taking on the role of Redzep “Redzo” Redzepovski — one of the toughest, most respected fighters of the era and a
Using Pro Fighters in the ring for Fenech
Jeff Fenech didn’t just fight opponents — he fought eras, expectations, politics, pain, and himself. To honour that truth on screen, we’ve made a clear, uncompromising creative decision for FENECH: the boxing must be real. That’s why, while we are
Casting Call for Professional Boxers
We are currently casting Australian professional boxers or high-level fighters to portray key opponents from Jeff Fenech’s professional career. These are important, on-screen fight roles that require authenticity, physical credibility, and the ability to perform choreographed boxing sequences for camera.